News Releases

April 4, 2017

MBA Diversity Committee Hosts a Day in Court

Norristown, PA - The MBA’s Diversity Committee, in partnership with Upper Dublin High School, hosted the sixth annual Day in Court program on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Montgomery County Court House.

The Honorable Cheryl L. Austin welcomed the group of over 20 high school students into her courtroom to observe live court proceedings. Afterwards, Judge Austin entertained questions from the students about court procedure and family law.

The students were then given the opportunity to meet with such dignitaries as Court of Common Pleas Judges: Hon. Daniel J. Clifford, Hon. Richard P. Haaz, Hon. Garret D. Page, and Hon. Steven C. Tolliver, as well as Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Todd Barnes, Esq., Montgomery County Deputy Chief Public Defender Keisha Hudson, Esq. and Montgomery County Public Defender Leslie Jones, Esq. Each speaker shared their success stories, as well as lessons learned along the way. While each speaker's road to success was unique, their stories shared a common thread – the value of hard work, courage and perseverance in achieving your dream.

The students then enjoyed lunch at One Montgomery Plaza, where they were joined by Montgomery County Commissioners Joseph C. Gale and Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., who educated the students about local government.

The program was made possible once again through the tireless efforts of Marilou Watson, Esq., a partner with Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell.

The PBA award-winning Day in Court program is part of the Montgomery Bar Association's efforts to promote diversity within the legal community. Other initiatives include the 1L Summer Internship for diverse first year law students. In the fall, members of Montgomery Bar Association's Diversity Committee will teach courses in the law to high school students at Upper Dublin High School, with hope of extending the program to other school districts in Montgomery County.